A brand new Scottish crisp brand created by a much-loved Scottish snack producer has officially hit the shelves across the country’s biggest supermarkets following a major makeover.

Taylors Snacks can now be picked up in the likes of Tesco and Sainsbury’s, marking the first time customers can buy the newly launched crisp brand, which replaces the well-known Mackie’s crisps and popcorn.

Producing more than 500,000 packets of crisps per week, the firm is hoping that its supermarket presence will continue to drive its exponential growth.

James Taylor, Managing Director at Taylors Snacks, said: “We’ve been on a journey in the past year, refining market insight and crafting a Taylors brand that we’re all so proud of. We’re delighted some of the country’s leading supermarkets have taken to the new look straight away.

“By placing it on the snack aisles around the country, we’re hoping that it allows new customers to fall in love with our produce, while keeping the crisps accessible to our long-standing customers.”

It is the latest chapter in the Taylors Snacks story following the Taylor family’s purchase of remaining shares in Mackie’s Crisps last year from its joint venture partners, the Mackie family.

The newly branded Taylors Snacks encompasses the same popular crisps that was central to the success of Mackie’s Crisps but under the new-look Taylors brand, reflecting the company’s new ownership. Mackie’s of Scotland continues to produce Scotland’s most popular ice cream and chocolate from its Aberdeenshire farm.

From pickled onion to classic sea salt flavours, the much-loved crisps will also feature in Morrisons, Asda and a range of convenience stores across Scotland, with other key stockists and dates still to be named.

The impressive listing news comes at a crucial chapter in the Taylors story, with the firm investing more than £400,000 into TV, radio and digital out of home marketing over the next six months, and featuring on national TV for the first time.

James added: “Our main goal is to become a household snack brand across the whole of the UK – and with loads in the works at Taylors Snacks right now, we feel we’re on the right track.

“To have the confidence of a number of the big retailers shows we’re in a strong place at Taylors Snacks at the moment and we can’t wait to continue to grow our brilliant brand.”

The Perthshire-based joint venture company, founded in 2009, was called Mackie’s at Taypack, which reflected the joint investment of both family businesses.

The venture paired the leading Mackie’s of Scotland brand and retail expertise with the production and potato growing expertise from the Taylors’ former potato processing business, Taypack. The Taylor family purchased the remaining shares of the joint venture in 2022.

Produced near the fourth-generation Taylor farm, Taylors Snacks is set to become a leading Scottish snacks brand with a continued dedication towards making high quality, delicious crisps and snacks.

For more information on Taylor’s Snacks, visit: https://www.taylorssnacks.com

ScotRail has confirmed that its services will operate as normal on Friday, 2 June and Saturday, 3 June, when members of two rail trade unions take part in planned strike action. 

Members of the RMT trade union at a number of train operating companies across the UK plan to take strike on Friday, 2 June, while ASLEF, which represents train drivers, are expected to take strike action on Saturday, 3 June. 

The industrial action is a result of a dispute between the trade unions and a number of other train operating companies across the UK, and does not involve any ScotRail staff. 

The only ScotRail services to be impacted are between Glasgow Central / Dumfries and Carlisle, due to train dispatching at Carlisle station. 

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said: “The dispute between the trade unions and other train operators does not involve any ScotRail staff, which means we’ll be able to operate as normal on Friday, 2 and Saturday, 3 June, apart from a small number of services to and from Carlisle. 

“While we look forward to welcoming passengers to our services, we would encourage those travelling to plan ahead as our trains will be busier than usual due to customers of other operators travelling on our services.” 

The Pathhead Choir perform this new music at three concerts around the Lothians, conducted by choir leaders Sophie Bancroft and Gina Rae and accompanied by jazz pianist Dave Milligan on piano.

The concerts will include the five new songs arranged for the choir, and the three other songs also written by The Pathhead Choir Songwriting Group which will be performed by Sophie, Gina and Dave in a duo or trio setting. Tickets are available to buy online from the links below.

Wednesday 21 June @ Crichton Collegiate Church, Pathhead, Midlothian, EH37 5XA
Doors 19.00, concert 19.30
Tickets £5 (under 16s free) from https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5760602

Friday 23 June @ Morningside Parish Church, 2 Cluny Gardens, Edinburgh EH10 6BQ,
Doors 19.00, concert 19.30
Tickets £5 (under 16s free) from https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5760614

Saturday 24 June @ West Barns Village Hall, Edinburgh Rd, West Barns, Dunbar EH42 1UPDoors 19.00, concert 19.30
Tickets £5 (under 16s free) from https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5760606

While the Brunton remains closed for repair, some of their events will be staged elsewhere in Musselburgh.

EVENTS AT LORETTO SCHOOL THEATRE, MILLHILL

Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton star in The Brunton’s screening of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (12A) at Loretto School Theatre on Tuesday 6 June at 7.30pm. Harold is an ordinary man who has passed through life, living on the side lines, until he goes to post a letter one day…and just keeps walking.

David Tennant makes a blistering return to the West End in one of Britain’s most powerful plays, the National Theatre Live’s Good, screening on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 June at 7pm, playing an ordinary man who is swept in to the Nazi regime.

As the world faces its Second World War, John Halder, a good, intelligent German professor, finds himself pulled into a movement with unthinkable consequences.

Olivier Award-winner Dominic Cooke (Follies) directs C.P. Taylor’s timely tale, with a cast that also features Elliot Levey (Coriolanus) and Sharon Small (The Bay). Filmed live from the Harold Pinter Theatre in London. This is a cinema screening of the West End play.

EVENTS AT NORTHESK PARISH CHURCH, MUSSELBURGH

Relax at lunchtime in the beautiful Northesk Parish Church on Tuesday 6 June at 1pm with the Chamber Musicians of St Mary’s Music School performing a Bite-sized Concert at Lunchtime. An optional light lunch of soup and a sandwich is served in the church hall adjacent to the church at noon, prior to the performance.

St Mary’s Music School has produced a number of brilliant musicians including Steven Osborne and the SCO’s Philip Higham – and Alexander Armstrong. The concert offers a showcase of some of the most brilliant of today’s students and gives a glimpse of classical stars of tomorrow! They are joined by the Brodsky Quartet as special guests. The programme will be a varied selection of movements from chamber music works including Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. Tickets are available online at www.thebrunton.co.uk or by calling 0131 653 5245

Winchburgh has celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III by holding a party and planting a tree, 70 years after a tree was planted for his late mother.

The party took place at Winchburgh Community Centre with more than 40 people from Winchburgh Senior Citizens Club and Good Companions Group invited to enjoy afternoon tea laid on by The Wee Winchburgh Café. Live music was provided by vintage-inspired singer Sarah Laing.

The Good Companions Group, part of Winchburgh Community Development Trust was founded by Kate Knox and brings together local people aged 50+ to spend time together.

One of their members, Janet Bain, suggested the idea, and the 10ft Japanese Blossom tree has been planted opposite Sinclair Academy and Winchburgh Academy. Members of the group took part in the ceremony along with school pupils and Winchburgh Community Growing Group, an award-winning horticulture group. Janet, Hazel Macleod and Elizabeth Walker, Robert Duncan and Nina Brown, are all members of the group who remember the tree being planted for The Queen’s Coronation in 1953 by Hugh Hogg.

Nina said: ““I’ve seen a lot happen in Winchburgh over the years but I always remember the day the tree was planted for The Queen’s Coronation. It’s still there today and it’s lovely to have memories going back to when it was planted.”

Hazel Mcleod, a volunteer for the Good Companions group and founding director of Winchburgh Community Development Trust said: “It’s exciting for the local community to be doing something to mark this historic occasion that future generations will be able to look back on in years to come.

“There has always been a strong sense of community in Winchburgh, and this is a lovely example of people of all different ages coming together to do something special that will stand the test of time. For the occasion, we brought in tri-cycles so that those with limited mobility were able to attend and enjoy a scenic ride through the new Auldcathie Park.”

Penny Lochhead, Community, Sport and Greenspace Manager for Winchburgh Developments, said: “We are delighted that the Good Companions group, some of whom helped plant the tree at the War Memorial 70 years ago, have come together with pupils from local schools to plant another tree to mark The King’s Coronation.

“They’ve done a wonderful job and we were delighted to support the group’s desire to plant the tree in one of our green space areas in the village.The location they’ve chosen will provide a welcoming gateway to the village for the community close to Glendevon and the new schools and we can’t wait to see it flourish in years to come.”

Peter Eastty, Treasurer of the Winchburgh Seniors Citizens Club, said: “The club was set up to provide an environment for local people to meet on a regular basis – a lot of our members have known each other all their lives, while others have met through joining the club. It was wonderful to have so many people come together to celebrate the Coronation together through live music, dancing and great food.”

Singer Sarah Laing added: “It was really special to perform for the Coronation party for the Winchburgh Senior Citizens Club and the Good Companions group. It was great to see both groups coming together to sing, dance and share good food and stories. There’s always a great sense of community in Winchburgh and everyone is so welcoming.”

Hidden Door 2023

Everything begins at the biggest office party in town later today. The Hidden Door regulars really do hunt down (and find) the best venues in town. Just before this building becomes a building site, they have taken it over for five days of music, arts and culture.

The team of volunteers have been transforming the former Scottish Widows office complex on Dalkeith Road for the five-day event which they say is “more immersive and atmospheric” than any Hidden Door so far. 

Doors open at 5pm on Wednesday, then from 1pm on all other days, closing at 1am.

Edinburgh Comedy Awards looking for a sponsor

Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards are the most prestigious during the Festival and the Fringe. But now TV Comedy channel Dave who sponsored the awards in 2019 and 2022 have decided to concentrate on other projects.

Nica Burns who runs the awards has put out a plea for any last minute help for this year, and meantime the awards will become a charitable trust enabling it to look at other funding models.

Nica Burns Edinburgh Comedy Awards long-serving Director said: “I am a passionate advocate of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the vital role it plays in acting as a springboard for many careers, including my own.

“I remain committed to the Awards which I have fought for and grown over the last four decades and I am proud of their role in spotlighting outstanding comedy talent. As the Comedy section has expanded to become such a significant genre of the Fringe, so have the costs of running the Awards. Having stepped in and personally sponsored them twice over the years, I will be the first to put money on the table for 2023, but post Covid can no longer do it on my own. I am therefore inviting the comedy industry and all potential partners to get in touch immediately to help make the Awards happen this year. There are a number of possibilities including contributing to sponsoring each Award and/or the Presentation. You can get in touch at support@comedyawards.co.uk“

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: The Edinburgh Comedy Awards have been a really important part of the Fringe landscape for the last forty years, providing crucial funding for the winners and a major opportunity to comics taking part in the Festival.

“Comedy is critically underfunded, but a huge part of the Fringe, and we know that artists, venues and the wider comedy community will want us to work collaboratively to support the ECA in any way we can, in redeveloping and securing a sustainable future for the Awards. Nica has worked tirelessly to make these Awards happen every year, with so much personal investment along the way. The Awards have become an institution in their own right now, and we look forward to them continuing to evolve and grow in the years to come.

Ms McCarthy has recently asked for more money for festivals. Read more here.

Jobs Fair in Gilmerton

On Monday there will be a jobs fair in Gilmerton Society Hall from 10am hosted by Helix. There will be jobs and training opportunities on offer. More details here.

Summer Festival in Granton

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Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has been instructed to market George Mewes Cheese, two high turnover artisan cheese shops in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. 

George Mewes Cheese was first established in 2010 when former chef, George opened his Glasgow store, followed by a store in Edinburgh in 2015. Since then George has built an award-winning business which sources the finest cheeses from Britain and Europe, working closely with Hervé Mons, a top affineur based in France, and British affineur Neal’s Yard Dairy of London. 

As well as the thriving retail business, George Mewes Cheese has built a reputation as a leading wholesaler, supplying cheeses to prestigious Scottish hotels and restaurants. 

These profitable stores are ideally positioned in affluent areas of both cities. George Mewes Glasgow is situated on Byres Road in the West End and George Mewes Edinburgh is located on Dean Park Street, in Stockbridge. 

Having successfully navigated the Covid pandemic, and now generating consistently high sales in-store and online, George believes the time is right to pass over the reins to a new owner who can build on the current success. 

Liam Bain, Business Agent at Christie & Co’s Scottish Retail team, is handling the sales process comments, “I am excited to assist George with selling the business he has worked tirelessly to build over the last 13 years. With two fantastic sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow, I’m sure this will pique the interest of business owners and entrepreneurs across both retail and hospitality sectors and beyond.”

The Scottish Government’s deposit return scheme was to be the best in Europe but it is already delayed until next year, and now the UK government has said it cannot include glass due to internal market rules.

The Scottish arrangements are due to be in place before the rest of the UK, and so to ensure that there is no trade barrier in different parts of the UK, if it is subject to different rules from those introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the UK Government has said it must exclude glass.

On Tuesday the Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater made a statement to parliament saying that she “had expected to be here today letting Parliament know that the UK Government had done the right thing and granted a full exclusion to the Internal Market Act for Scotland’s scheme. This is because waste and recycling is a fully devolved policy matter and this Parliament legislated for the scheme in May 2020. 

“The environmental and economic benefits of the scheme have never been in question – it will reduce littering by a third and increase recycling rates of single-use drinks containers towards 90%.

“Glass accounts for a large proportion of these containers, and is one of the most common items to pollute our beaches. That’s why our scheme included glass from the beginning. It’s why almost all schemes around the world include glass.”

The political wrangling between the two governments is now the focus of everyone’s attention rather than the policy to become a greener nation.

Scottish Labour Net Zero spokesperson Sarah Boyack said “It is absurd that our recycling scheme has been reduced to yet another tiresome constitutional row between two governments with nothing else to offer. 

“The Minister seems to be clueless about the future of the scheme, which she plunged into chaos long before the UK government got involved, and she failed to clarify whether the costs for consumers for cans and plastics would now be increased. 

“Businesses and taxpayers alike have been left in limbo over costs and the most basic questions still haven’t been answered.

“We urgently need co-operation between our two governments to deliver a recycling scheme that works – not petty political pointscoring.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton Liberal Democrat MSP said: “Both the Scottish and UK governments are at it. Businesses are caught in the middle and being messed about.

“The fact is that the Scottish Government made a pig’s ear of a good idea, long before it tried to use a constitutional row to muddy the waters around its own inadequacy.

“Retailers and producers could work with a scheme that is competent and which doesn’t throw up barriers, but that’s not what they had in front of them.

“Isn’t part of the problem that we have here two governments that are incapable of owning up to mistakes, for whom cooperation is a dirty word even if that is what hard-pressed businesses are crying out for?”

Self-employed tour guides working in Edinburgh have criticised an “unfair” hike in charges to take groups into cemeteries.

The council has been urged to have a re-think over the scheme designed to raise money for the maintenance of graveyards which attract the most tourists – and consider replacing the soon-to-increase annual charge with a ‘per visitor’ fee.

This would make the cost of cemetery upkeep for operators proportionate to the level of footfall they bring in, independent guides have argued, as they blamed “mass tourism companies” for the council’s £86,000 bill to maintain footpaths in Canongate, Greyfriars and St Cuthbert’s cemeteries last year.

A petition calling on the local authority to engage with self-employed guides and explore changing the scheme has gathered over 350 signatures. 

Currently, all operators which conduct cemetery tours must pay an annual £90 registration fee, which will rise to £150 from July following a decision taken by the culture and communities committee earlier this month.

In addition the council is introducing a £120 a year charge for each guide employed by an operator. Whilst this means bigger companies will soon pay more, independents have said this removes the ability for them to group together and share the cost.

Amy, a self-employed guide who leads French language ghost tours said as a result her registration fee will jump from £9 to £150 – an increase of over 1,500 per cent.

She told the LDRS: “For the last two years I have paid the same tax as a giant company, is it fair? It’s absolutely not honest to tell me that I have the same environmental impact that those herds.

“They’ve put this scheme on because the cemetery needs maintenance because of mass tourism, so why is it so unfair and why isn’t it per visitor?

“This tax is only going to go up. And it’s never going to be proportional to the real actual footprint we have in those places.

“My work to share the beauty of Edinburgh with the French is now in danger.”

Karine Savage, another independent operator based in the capital, said: “We are one guide, we take two or three people, sometimes ten to fifteen but it’s very rare, but many guides take 30.”

She said the council failed to adequately consult with self-employed guides or inform them of the fee increases – adding if she had known she would have raised her own prices for the summer season.

She added: “To me it’s just the way they are coming out with a plan that’s not been thought through very thoroughly and all the people who should have been involved haven’t been involved – [the problem] is the poor communication and management of the scheme.

“They implemented this during Covid – we had two years of no work, so we made hardly any money, and then this is hitting us.”

Ms Savage also said some guides could “boycott” the cemeteries due to the cost.

Registration fees raised just £3,785 for the council last year and donations from graveyard visitors brought in just over £2,000 – against £121,000 spent on managing and maintaining popular burial grounds, including £86,000 on footpath repairs and £34,000 employing a cemeteries officer.

The council said: “It is clear that the Edinburgh Tour Guide Registration Scheme has not provided the level of income anticipated to meet the cost of maintaining cemeteries, particularly those with the highest footfall.”

It said evidence has suggested some guides who are not registered “continue to try and operate in the cemeteries”.

Meanwhile a petition launched by the Small Tour Guides Association calling on the council to reconsider the scheme has gathered 355 signatures.

The Small Tour Guides Association said: “As micro companies, most of us don’t earn a lot. Actually, we barely make minimum wage as we need to make in six months enough income for the rest of the year.”

They urged the council to “make sure that taxes paid are proportional to the size and actual cemetery footprint of the business”.

They added: “Some bring 40+ people per tour six times a day, other micro businesses like ours bring on average four people with us.”

At around 11.30 on Tuesday morning there was a two car collision in Davidson’s Mains.

This occurred at the pedestrian crossing just off the same roundabout where Alena Faltyskova was killed by the driver of a bus in May 2017.

Roads were blocked for a while and the Lothian 47 and 21 services were diverted. Some eye witnesses said there was petrol on the road, and all emergency services were in attendance.

Harvey, a playful 12-year-old crossbreed, and his loyal best friend Jane, a sweet 10-year-old collie, are eagerly anticipating a loving home together.

These delightfully furry friends are seeking an adult-only environment, where they can bask in undivided attention and receive abundant love. Their only requirement is a home without other pets, as they yearn to be the sole recipients of affection.

These lovable pooches cherish their time together, Jane may be the younger out of the two, but she acts like a big sister to Harvey and gives him the confidence he needs to feel safe.

With adventurous spirits, they delight in playing at their own pace in the garden, revelling in the excitement of car rides to new and thrilling destinations. While at home, all they need for contentment are a collection of toys and treats—essential provisions for any canine companion. In addition to playtime, this delightful duo are seeking owners who can shower them with affection and companionship, preferably individuals who are at home for most of the day.

With their loving personalities and playful spirits, Harvey and Jane are ready to bring boundless joy to the fortunate family capable of offering them the warm and nurturing home they so deserve.

If you think you could provide a home for Harvey & Jane or any of the 50 dogs currently available for rehoming, please contact the West Calder Rehoming Centre on 01506 873459. You can also follow Dogs Trust West Calder on Twitter @DT_WestCalder & Instagram @dogstrust_westcalder. GO and meet them for a chat about rehoming/fostering at our ‘The Long & Short Of It’ event on Sunday 11 June at 12-4pm at the West Calder centre.

Dogs Trust West Calder is currently seeking new foster carers across the whole of the Lothians & Scottish Borders. If you could open your home to a dog in need, please email HFHWestCalder@dogstrust.org.uk for more information. The rehoming centre is also recruiting new volunteers for a variety of roles.

Anyone interested in volunteering should email Volunteer Coordinator, Garry Lee at Garry.Lee@dogstrust.org.uk

Following the UK Government’s response to The Scottish Parliament on the proposed Deposit Return Scheme in which they approve it but exclude glass from the scheme., the Minister for the Circular Economy, Lorna Slater MSP made a statement to the parliament.

She said: “Presiding Officer, I am grateful for the opportunity to update Parliament today on the latest position on the Internal Market Act exclusion for the deposit return scheme. I am doing so at the earliest opportunity having received a letter from the UK Government late on Friday evening after almost two years of discussion. 

“Scotland’s deposit return scheme is based on a simple producer pays principle and there are more than 50 such schemes across the world. 

“Scotland might be following behind many other countries but we are well ahead of the rest of the UK. And because we are ahead we have been seeking an exemption from the Internal Market Act, an Act which the UK Government imposed on devolved nations after Brexit. 

“I had expected to be here today letting Parliament know that the UK Government had done the right thing and granted a full exclusion to the Internal Market Act for Scotland’s scheme. This is because waste and recycling is a fully devolved policy matter and this Parliament legislated for the scheme in May 2020. 

“The environmental and economic benefits of the scheme have never been in question – it will reduce littering by a third and increase recycling rates of single-use drinks containers towards 90%.

“Glass accounts for a large proportion of these containers, and is one of the most common items to pollute our beaches. That’s why our scheme included glass from the beginning. It’s why almost all schemes around the world include glass.

“Our scheme includes glass because it’s best for the climate; best for the environment; and best provides a level playing field across businesses. 

“Rishi Sunak and Alister Jack know that too. They were elected on a manifesto commitment to introduce a deposit return scheme with glass. That commitment set the context in which Scotland’s own DRS scheme was designed – the context of UK schemes all including glass.

“So, in 2020 – when the Internal Market Act didn’t even exist – this Parliament agreed regulations for a DRS which included glass. 

“The UK Government has since u-turned on their commitment to glass, despite their own evidence showing how important that is – environmentally, economically and financially.

“And their eleventh hour reversal has five impacts on Scotland’s DRS. 

“Firstly, the scheme as designed, with glass, would reduce carbon emissions by 4 million tonnes over 25 years – the equivalent to taking 83,000 cars off the road. The UK’s intervention means slashing that by a third – by over 1 million tonnes – at a time when the UN has warned that all actions possible are needed to tackle the climate crisis.

“Secondly, the removal of glass from our scheme makes no sense economically – the UK Government’s own 2021 impact assessment of deposit return schemes across the UK showed that the social benefits of reduced litter, emissions saved, and to the economy are increased by 64% when glass is included – from £3.6bn to £5.9bn.

“Thirdly, forcing Scotland to remove glass at the eleventh hour risks critically undermining the commercial viability of Scotland’s DRS. Glass will make up between a quarter and a third of volumes recycled. Removing it now will severely reduce the scheme’s income while the glass related costs are largely sunk.

“Fourthly, removing glass risks significant knock-on effects: changing fees on plastic and cans to cover sunk costs of glass; changing business models between can-based products and those which are glass-bottle-based – particularly for businesses in Scotland who are mainly can based; and risking production switches into more carbon intensive glass.

“But as recently as January this year the UK Government continued to say it was up to each devolved nation – including both Scotland and Wales – to decide which materials were in each scheme. 

“And they have now u-turned on that too. 

“Presiding Officer, two u-turns in a row does not put the UK Government back on track. It puts them at odds with evidence, at odds with global best practice, and at odds with their own promises. 

“And this is just the latest example of how devolution is now, frankly, under sustained attack. 

“When we pass laws to make lives a bit easier for trans people, the Scottish Secretary steps in and blocks the legislation.

“When Scottish Ministers engage with other nations to share ideas and to promote Scotland as a place to visit, to study and to invest – the UK Foreign Secretary issues a diktat to overseas embassies to silence and side-line them.

“And now, it is clear we cannot even introduce a recycling scheme without it being sabotaged by bad faith actors in the UK Government, who never supported devolution in the first place. 

“The Scottish Secretary – whose job is supposed to be ensuring that devolution runs smoothly – seems more interested in torpedoing Scotland’s Parliament than he is in protecting Scotland’s environment. 

“Presiding Officer, the UK Government has told this Parliament that it cannot deliver the scheme this Parliament voted for. It can only echo a more limited scheme for England that the UK Parliament has not yet even voted for.

“The UK scheme currently has no agreed legislation, no scheme administrator, no contracts, no credible timescale and, yes, no glass. 

“And yet we are expected to agree right now to: a maximum cap on deposit levels across the UK before the Scottish scheme launches; a shared registration processes; one marking or barcode across the UK. 

“None of which currently exists. 

“The aim of having schemes in the UK that work alongside each other and act as seamlessly as possible is entirely right. But that is not what the UK Government is doing. Its approach has nothing to do with co-operation or partnership. 

“It’s “our way or the highway.” 

“So in Scotland we can have a DRS that will be ready to launch next March. We will be finally moving on with DRS in the UK not just talking about it.

“And yet the UK Government wants to sabotage the one scheme in the UK that will be ready to go for a UK scheme that is nothing more than a plan on a page.

“The UK Government aims to appoint their scheme administrator in summer 2024 and launch their scheme barely a year later in autumn 2025. This is not credible. In reality it looks like the UK Government is kicking the can down the road.

“So my challenge to the UK Government today is this: to demonstrate how and when they will put in place a UK scheme for Scotland to align with. Show us a credible pathway: the regulations, the scheme administrator, secure funding, the staff recruitment, the system development, the procurement of delivery contracts, the partnership work with producers and retailers.

“In other words, show us all of the things that we have been working hard to put in place in Scotland – all of the things that will give businesses, producers, retailers, stakeholders the certainty that they need.

“So, where does this leave us? 

“Presiding Officer, if the UK Government had given us the full exclusion that we had sought, then I would be here today setting out all the detailed steps that we are taking ahead of go-live date next March. 

“But instead, we are now being forced to examine whether the deliberate sabotage by the UK Government leaves us something we can make work. We will need some time to go through the detail of the UK Government decision and conditions and I will update Parliament on next steps. 

“There is still a win-win opportunity for the UK Government if it immediately reverses its 11th hour decision and enables Scotland to pave the way for the all-in DRS scheme, including glass, that its own analysis concluded was the best option. That is what it should do.

“Presiding Officer, this is about protecting our Scottish environment. But it is also more than that. It is about protecting our Scottish democracy. 

“We are here as the consequence of a Brexit that Scotland didn’t vote for. Every day people are paying the price of reduced living standards, a weaker economy and less money for public services like the NHS. 

“Not just broken glass but a broken union. A union of supposed equals exposed as anything but. By a Tory government pursuing a scorched earth approach to devolution. 

“Scotland deserves so much more than the broken pieces of devolution. We deserve always to get the Governments we vote for and the polices we need. We should not have to put up with Westminster interfering with our Parliament and sabotaging important policies to suit their own agenda.

“I look forward to a different future where we can have all the powers we need – right here in this Parliament – to deliver for the people of Scotland, to protect the environment and build a stronger, fairer economy.”

Following the statement many members asked questions of the minister, mainly divided according to party lines. We will sum these up later.

The Scottish Deposit return scheme (DRS) on single-use containers is aimed at helping to improve the quality and quantity of recycling, to reduce litter and achieving climate change targets.The Scottish Government believes the DRS is one of the most environmentally ambitious and accessible in Europe. There will be tens of thousands of return points for plastic, metal but no longer glass as was initially proposed.

People will pay 20p when they buy a drink in a single use container and get the deposit back when they return the empty container.

All retailers (subject to a few exemptions) which sell drinks for takeaway must operate a return point.

Zero Waste Scotland say that at present only half of eligible containers are recycled, and the aim is to collect at least 90% of these within the second year of operation. The body estimates that increasing recycling and reducing waste would reduce emissions – the equivalent of taking 85,000 cars off the road – or all the cars in Dundee.

The Scottish Parliament has already passed the necessary regulations to create a legal framework, but the UK Government would have to exempt the scheme from the Internal Market Act as this would be the only DRS in the UK.

The policy has been designed in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland. Further information about the scheme is available on their website.

The implementation of the scheme has been delayed until 2024.

Circularity Scotland is the company set up to manage the scheme.

Changes were made to the scheme in April when containers of under 100ml were excluded (which includes miniatures, and craft producers who sell fewer than 5,000 units per year are also exempt.

Representatives from two of the major Edinburgh festivals, and the Tattoo were invited to give evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee who are studying the topic of “Promoting Scotland Internationally”.

Members of the committee visited New York during Tartan Week to see for themselves how promotion on the international stage works in practice.

All giving evidence agreed that there could be more collaboration among the arts organisations responsible for our Edinburgh festivals and that more regular help from governments would also make that easier.

Shona McCarthy, CEO of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, told the members of the committee that artists and venues are all still suffering financially after the pandemic. While she said that she supported the Scottish Government’s short term lets legislation (which makes planning permission or licences mandatory for accommodation in certain circumstances) she nevertheless pointed out that it will have “unintended consequences – particularly for artists”.

She also said that the “dreaded rising cost of accommodation” in the capital must be looked at strategically, and that soaring bills are the “grim reaper”.

She said: “I think Scotland probably does not realise just what an incredible brand it has in Edinburgh’s Festivals—particularly those that happen over that concentrated period in the summer months. I have just come back from my first experience at Tartan Week in New York and Washington, and I was absolutely blown away by the extent to which the Fringe brand is known. It is a household name and a recognised brand across the US. Indeed, I saw at least eight shows billed in theatres in New York and Washington that had come directly from the Edinburgh Fringe.”

Festivals Edinburgh

Festivals Edinburgh gave evidence to The Scottish Government’s Local Government committee in February calling for them to look again at including residents’ personal primary homes in the planned short term lets legislation. Ahead of her Committee appearance, Julia Amour, Director of Festivals Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh’s Festivals are frustrated at the extent of plans to regulate brief stays in residents’ personal primary homes – compared to commercial secondary lets where we understand the need for regulation – especially when the regulatory plans have no apparent regard to the collection of evidence or the assessment of impact.” And Festivals Edinburgh said that Edinburgh Council has chosen to apply many of the conditions to the temporary exemptions which could lead to a third of the programme being lost next year.

Call for constant funding

At the Scottish Affairs Committee Ms McCarthy continued: “There is an enormous amount that The Scottish Government and the UK Government could do to promote the Festivals overseas. There is much more that we could do in terms of our physical presence at other festivals and events, but our ability to do that is limited by finance and resourcing.”

Ms McCarthy who heads the organisation which received capital funding of £7.6 million from the UK Government earlier this year to assist them in renovating a former school building on Infirmary Street, said that both the Scottish and the UK governments need to help the festivals more.

Deidre Brock MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, and a former Culture Convener on The City of Edinburgh Council, asked Ms McCarthy directly about how she (and the International Festival who received around £1 million of funding) had achieved that. Ms McCarthy said it came from a blueprint published in 2017 which was the festival’s 70th anniversary year “but there was nowhere that told its history or its story”.

She also said: “In a parallel process, we have been asking the levelling-up agenda for support for a building – a community hub -in Edinburgh through the community ownership agenda. At the same time, we have been asking the Departure for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) for recognition of the Fringe as a major event and for support for artists, for theatre tax relief for our venues and for a list of things. This ask has been on the table for a very long time, and the bit that we were successful with was the capital project, the building of the community hub project.

“I am at pains to point out that that is very much a capital gift: it is not revenue funding and it does not address the wider piece about the survival of the Fringe, the change in its economic model, the support for artists, the support for venues and the infrastructural support to enable the Festival to happen every year. That is still an ask on the table with DCMS.”

Ms Brock pressed further on the matter of the capital funding, asking it the announcement had come out of the blue. Ms McCarthy replied it was a bit of both – expected after all their requests, but also a surprise. She said: “We had been talking at length with the UK Government, particularly on the levelling-up agenda around the capital project and the need for a new community space. We had submitted paperwork and given an outline of what we thought it might cost and so on. But the inner workings of the UK Government are not within my gift or understanding.

“When the announcement was made, it happened at greater speed than we had anticipated. It was very welcome news, but we would have loved to have seen the wider issues of the actual cost of the Fringe taken into account. The ongoing running costs and support that is needed for artists and for the infrastructure of the Fringe was as big an issue to us as looking for our new community hub. I assume it is easier to find capital when you approach the Government than it is to find long-term revenue.”

Festivals and Tattoo represented

Ms McCarthy then explained that there is little investment into the “annual infrastructure” and said: “I would very much make a massive plea for the UK Government to recognise the Edinburgh Festivals as being a landmark moment every year—the equivalent of a Commonwealth or Olympic Games—and to be recognised as an event at that scale, and for there to be some level of continual investment to support an event that is globally recognised and to support the importance of the Edinburgh Festivals.”

Major General Buster Howes, CB,OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said that the strategy to knit together the experience for the 3.5 million people who visit Edinburgh every summer is “unclear” to him. Fran Hegyi, OBE, who is the CEO of the Edinburgh International Festival agreed that the festival is better known internationally than domestically and that a UK strategy around festivals is needed. She pointed out that the pandemic had highlighted the “fragility of the whole of the ecosystem”. She asked: “What is the place of these gems within the whole of the UK?”

Christine Jardine MP for Edinburgh West raised the matter of accommodation costs and wondered if it needed to be addressed separately. Shona McCarthy answered: “We need a joined-up conversation about what it means for Edinburgh to host the collective of our Festivals at scale every single August. It needs the same kind of collective thought process that you would put into hosting a Eurovision song contest or a Commonwealth games.”

Douglas Ross also mentioned the smelly topic of last year’s bin strikes saying it was “such a great shame that our capital city looked like that at a time when you were all putting on outstanding events”. (He also tried to raise the matter of The Stand and Joanna Cherry’s appearance there but was told it was really none of the Fringe Society’s business.)

Major General Howes explained that the cost of his proposed recent visit to Tartan Week would have come from Diageo, although it was last minute and he did not end up attending, and Ms McCarthy said that the funding for her own visit came from “pieces of sponsorship” and there was a small amount of investment from one of The Scottish Government overseas hubs. She also said: “I have to say we did get a lot of support once we had made the commitment to come out—we got a lot of engagement from both Scottish and British Government officials overseas. Somebody from The Scottish Government came up to me afterwards and said, “How did the Fringe manage to be everywhere?” We worked at it really hard.” But she also pointed out that some pre-planning and collaboration would mean that organisations would get more out of the week.

Ms Hegyi agreed that collective working as a group of festivals would be “incredibly helpful” and that she would welcome a collaborative conversation among the festivals. And she said that for an investment from various quarters of less than £10 million in the festivals the economic return to Edinburgh alone is in the region of £280 million.

Council is recruiting apprentices

The council is looking for apprentices and experienced tradespeople as part of its latest recruitment drive.

Adverts are now live for more than 30 jobs and apprenticeships in a variety of roles. This is part of the council’s plan to hire around 80 recruits in the housing service in the coming weeks.

This move is designed to increase in-house capacity to maintain, improve and repair tenants’ homes, and the positions will cover everything from plastering, painting and plumbing to carrying out emergency repairs. Opportunities are available to develop skills in joinery, gas engineering and to join the capital investment team.

Craft apprenticeships are available which will provide new tradespeople with an opportunity to earn a qualification and learn new skills while being paid. Every role forms part of a team with lots of support and mentoring and a college place to become fully qualified.

Further posts will be advertised soon, with details of all positions to be found on Myjobscotland.

Bruce Springsteen

Keep an eye out today for the Boss himself who is expected to arrive in the capital ahead of his concert tonight. And there will be road closures out near BT Murrayfield with lots of traffic before and after the show expected. On Saturday night the traffic was nose to tail within half an hour of the Harry Styles concert ending about 10.20pm. Side roads were also jammed so it really is an area to avoid. If you are going to the concert then ScotRail has some advice for you. Avoid Haymarket. And plan ahead.

Read more here.

NT Art Month

This innovative art festival which takes place next month will include ten art galleries on Dundas Street, Howard Street, Summer Place and Queen Street. The festival highlights the importance of supporting commercial spaces in their role as a platform to nurture new artistic talent and stage to mount world class exhibitions. Participating galleries include &Gallery, The Atelier Gallery, Birch Tree Gallery, Harvey & Woodd, Heriot Gallery, Open Eye Gallery, Powderhall Bronze Editions, The Fine Art Society, The Scottish Gallery, Watson Gallery and a pop-up of the work of James Glossop at much-loved Dundas Street wine bar, Bacco Wines.

Read more here – and put it in your diary now – Click on the image below to find out more on the NT Art Month website.

Teresa Sumerfield Photography

Losing her husband Daniel has spurred photographer Teresa Sumerfield into taking chances and making her own opportunities. Our story below tells the tale of her exhibition – and how you can help.

How to subscribe to The Edinburgh Reporter

All of our content is free to access but if you would like to support us and also get your own copy of our monthly paper delivered to you each month then you can subscribe here. The paper is always on the streets on the 1st of each month.

Or click on the front page below. And if you have any stories then do get in touch.

ScotRail has issued travel advice to those attending the concert at BT Murrayfield on Tuesday to plan ahead and allow additional time for travel. All services are expected to be busy, and queuing systems may be in place at key stations across the country.  

The train operator will be adding more seats to help fans travel to BT Murrayfield to see Bruce Springsteen on Tuesday, 30 May 2023. The extra seats will be added to services wherever possible on routes in and out of Edinburgh Waverley, with extra trains planned when the concert finishes. 

The concert is due to start at 7.00pm, however, gates at Murrayfield will be open from 4.30pm, and ScotRail is encouraging fans to get to the venue early as trains will be very busy. 

Haymarket station is also expected to be much busier than normal in the afternoon and early evening with concertgoers using the station.  

When the concert ends, music-lovers are encouraged to walk, if they can, back to Haymarket station as quickly as possible and join the holding area on Haymarket Terrace, where they will then be directed to the appropriate queue.   

Customers travelling to and from Fife are encouraged to travel to the concert via Edinburgh Gateway station. Edinburgh Trams operate fast and frequent connections between the entrance of BT Murrayfield and the station. Travelling via Edinburgh Gateway station will reduce queuing time for fans travelling to and from Fife.  

Customers travelling by rail are encouraged to buy their return tickets for travel through the mTicket system on the ScotRail app, either from the comfort of their home or on the way to the station, where it will instantly become available on their mobile device. This will reduce their need to queue on the day.  

ScotRail will have extra staff on hand at key stations across the network to help customers, who are also reminded that the consumption of alcohol is prohibited on ScotRail services and in ScotRail stations.  

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said: “We’re doing what we can to help music fans travel to see Bruce Springsteen perform at BT Murrayfield on Tuesday, and I am delighted we have been able to add more seats and some extra trains to help people enjoy the occasion. 

“I’d encourage customers to travel to the stadium early as trains will be much busier than normal. Our advice to anyone travelling is to plan ahead and allow extra time for travel to and from the concert.  

“Buying return tickets in advance on the ScotRail app or website will minimise your need to queue and help your day run smoothly.”

Livingston social enterprise Spark Creations is now selling its products nationally across the UK, leading to a tripling of its income.

The Craigshill-based provider of gifts, which are all made by local volunteers, recorded profits of more than £10,000 after its most successful year yet, by introducing trading on eBay, Etsy as well as on its own hugely successful online store.

Organisers are now beginning an ambitious expansion by moving into the corporate market, selling their products as gifts for large employers and organisations locally and across the UK.

The social enterprise is a commercial arm of Spark – formerly the Craigshill Good Neighbour Network – whose aim is to reduce loneliness and social isolation by providing activity groups, trips, events, and volunteering opportunities.

Spark Creations began four years ago after organisers sold marmalade made by a local member and the business snowballed from there. Its range now includes knitwear, produced by 15 volunteers, confectionery bouquets and branded goods, including t-shirts, mugs and umbrellas.

Spark CEO Alex Fleming said the business has caught the public imagination because of its self-help philosophy. 

She said: “I think people appreciate our entrepreneurial approach. Rather than relying solely on funding streams to pay for the important services Spark provides, we have developed a successful way of generating our own income.

“As well as encouraging people to buy from Spark Creations, to keep the money in the local economy, we also provide employability opportunities for our volunteers.

“Our experience of being a successful social enterprise means we have acquired key skills that we can pass on to our members and it also serves as an example to those who were perhaps thinking of starting their own business.”

Enterprise manager Pauline Hanratty said Spark Creation’s business plan for the next year is to consolidate on its nationwide retail success, while pushing further into the corporate market.

She said: “Last year we produced an item specifically for Sky, one of our area’s biggest employers, for them to put on their online catalogue. At Christmas Remax bought personalised baubles from us which they used as gifts for their clients. 

“We also produced a range of branded products, including mugs and umbrellas, for one of the local football teams.

“Our appeal to businesses, when they are buying gifts for staff, clients and suppliers, both at Christmas and at other times of the year, is that rather than going to a commercial enterprise, to buy from us instead.

“It is a simple way of helping them to meet their corporate social responsibility targets, while contributing to a worthwhile cause and also helping us to deliver our employability programmes.”

She added: “Our people are learning new skills all the time. We buy in the raw materials, and they are turned into gifts by our 15 volunteers. Most of them come into the building but there are some who work from home. 

“They enjoy it, and it gives them a purpose. They like to knit but for a purpose. They will knit away, confident and pleased with the knowledge that some good will come from their knitting.”

According to Hanratty, the business model works because of the support the organisation receives both from customers and local volunteers.

She said: “Our customers are members who use the club, including volunteers and now, because we sell online, we have customers from across the UK.

“We have a good following and an enormous success rate on eBay. All the items we sell on eBay is donated so everything, apart from the packaging and posting, is profit.

“Other things, the sentiment gifts, the sweetie bouquets, all the knitted items, which are made by our volunteers are sold on Etsy and on our online shop as well as in the physical store.

“We are not at the stage where we benefit from discounts from suppliers because our bulk orders are not big enough, but we plan to expand and, hopefully, our orders will grow to a level where we can take advantage of those cost reductions. It’s all about economies of scale.”

She added: “Fundraising of any kind provides volunteers with a deep sense of achievement. One of our ladies has just been trained in how to sell items on eBay, which involves knowing how to take photographs of the products to show them to their best advantage, listing them with a compelling description, researching price and promoting them so that they come to the attention of potential customers. 

“When that volunteer comes in to Spark the next time, there is a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement in seeing that that item has sold, often in numbers. She then has to package and post the items out, knowing that she has helped to generate.”

Train for a career in sports with the city’s leading sports and leisure provider.

Edinburgh’s leading sports and leisure provider, Edinburgh Leisure, will be running a series of coaching academies providing nationally recognised qualifications that will enable successful learners to lead safe and enjoyable sport/physical activity. 

Targeted at young people aged 16-24 years, and fully funded through Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities, The Coaching Academy will assist young people to learn new skills for the job market, using the capacity of sports coaching to transform lives, increase motivation, encourage learning, and support personal development. 

The inaugural 2023 intake will be limited to 16 candidates with learning focussed on studying for a sport leadership qualification and sports’ specific coaching course qualifications. 

Candidates will gain the SCQF Sports Leaders Level 5 qualification carried out as a week-long course from 17-21 July at Meadowbank Sports Centre delivered by Edinburgh Leisure.

The Sports Leaders sessions use sport to deliver fun and engaging physical activities with other attendees. Candidates will plan, lead, and evaluate sports/physical activity sessions over a number of tutored hours and then demonstrate their leadership skills as part of an assessment.

Upon completion of Sports Leaders, a series of three coaching qualifications will be delivered once weekly at Meadowbank Sports Centre for the 16 candidates.  Attendance at all courses is required.

Those qualifications are:

Scottish Badminton: Badminton Basics course: 27 July 2023

‘Badminton Basics’ is a six-hour course geared towards coaches with little or no badminton experience. It focuses on fun games for beginners, allowing participants to lead sessions at schools and assist more experienced coaches at clubs. Badminton Basics is a core component of the new coaching awards and, as such, is the first step on the pathway. 

Scottish Athletics: Leading Athletics course:  3 August 2023

The three-hour ‘Leading Athletics’ workshop is available for coaches and allows for the training and development of new volunteers, with the aim of supporting existing leadership programmes and attracting more young leaders into the sport of athletics. The ‘Leading Athletics’ workshop is aimed at individuals looking to gain the skills to lead athletics activities for young athletes.  Individuals completing the course will be able to support Coaching Assistants and Athletics Coaches.

Scottish FA: 1.1 Introduction to Football Coaching course: 10 August 2023

The Scottish FA Level 1.1 Introduction to Coaching course aims to develop a basic understanding of The Scottish FA coach education pathway and the coach’s learning journey focusing on effective communication and player interaction to develop effective delivery.

Participants will be signposted to Edinburgh Leisure volunteering opportunities within sports venues and holiday programme provision, where they will be immersed in all aspects of the sport and leisure coaching environment. This can lead to employment opportunities within Edinburgh Leisure.

Edinburgh Leisure will host a celebration event at the end of the programme.

To apply, click this link or scan the QR code to fill in the initial application form. Edinburgh Leisure is looking for candidates with a passion for sport, enthusiasm for learning and looking for a new opportunity.   Registration closes on Friday, 30 June 2023.  Edinburgh Leisure is looking for initial candidates with a passion for sport, enthusiasm for learning and looking for a new opportunity.

For further information, contact Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure –garyhocknull@edinburghleisure.co.uk

From the worst of motivations – the grief at losing her husband, Daniel – the best of results has emerged. South Queensferry based photographer, Teresa Sumerfield, created a series of photos as a project after her husband had died.

Already drawn to rainbows, and having used the colours of the rainbow in previous photo shoots, she knew what she wanted to create, but just needed a little help to do it.

During lockdown she did much the same as “every other photographer did” and took photos of families on doorsteps. She said: “I took photos of 273 families at their front doors. My daughter and I would go out every day. We had a list and tried to manage it so that we did five families a day.

“During lockdown my husband was poorly but he was working from home. He was auto immune and the doctors were trying to work out what it was at the time, so he was in isolation.

“Daniel died about two and a half years ago now. He was 46, he was very young, and he had been very fit until then. He had cycled from Vienna to Prague with his work. He was diagnosed with cancer first, and had recovered from that – he ran a half marathon for Maggie’s to raise money for them. And then about a year after that things started going wrong again, but we didn’t know why.”

Eventually Daniel was diagnosed with Adult Onset Still’s Disease which is a rare rheumatological condition, and despite treatment he was very ill in intensive care when lockdown began.

Teresa explained that she was able to be with him when he died, which she “will be forever grateful for”.

As a former mental health occupational therapist, you get the sense that this is someone who knows herself very well. She studied in Edinburgh and moved to London where she worked in a medium secure unit for criminal offenders before working in the Gorbals for a while. After that she went to Bermuda working there for seven years, during which time she met Daniel who had travelled from England. She also thinks that is where she developed a love of colour. She is already very well known for her own rainbow tattoos.

She said: “I was running art groups – there was such a huge amount of talent there. I created an exhibition called “Can you hear me now?” for people who used mental health services. The exhibition moved to City Hall – and it is still running. I also started a photography course with digital cameras donated by local Rotary clubs. Daniel bought me my first digital camera in Bermuda and when we came back I went to work as a second camera for a friend who took wedding photos. I did weddings with her for years.”

After Daniel died in October, (which crushingly happened just a year after her own mother had died of cancer), Teresa said she was chatting to a “very, very positive” friend around Christmas time who had been gifted a book about Victorian swimming pools. She suggested that Teresa would love it, but the photographer in her resisted seeing the book as she said it had always been on her bucket list. She takes up the story: “My friend said – ‘Well do it then. What’s the point in a bucket list?’ And if I have learned anything it is that life is way too short and we are not guaranteed anything.

“At that point I went onto egg and asked if anyone could help me achieve this. I didn’t really know what I was doing – I just knew I wanted to take photos. Wendy Avinou sent me a private message telling me that I had done her lockdown photos and that she is the manager of two Victorian pools at Dalry and Glenogle, and could make it happen for me. Edinburgh Leisure gave me access to the pools and a lot of encouragement. Most of the people in the photos are members of egg who volunteered.”

The theme of rainbow colours was again an obvious choice when she began taking the photos in the Victorian pools, and you can see how well that has worked by looking at Teresa’s photos below.

All the photos are now for sale either framed or unframed and any profits raised will be donated to Richmond’s Hope, “an organisation which has worked with my daughter Ruby who was just seven when her Daddy died. They are amazing. All of them are so lovely and so welcoming”.

Contact Teresa through her Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/TeresaSumerfieldPhotography

Richmond’s Hope is a charity based in Craigmillar. It is a body which helps bereaved families, but particularly children and young people between the ages of 4 and 18.

Teresa also took the official photos of the Big Hare Trail which raised money for Leuchie House in East Lothian, and more often than not is found at the occasional wedding taking photos of the lovely brides and grooms.

Teresa exhibited her series of photographs at Dovecot supported by the Scottish online and offline community for women, egg, and would love to stage another exhibition. So if you have a suitable space then please do get in touch with her. TSPhotography@outlook.com

ENTERPRISING YOUNG PEOPLE PITCH SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS IDEAS TO LOCAL DRAGONS 

The annual Dragon’s Den event has taken place at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline, welcoming both Primary and Secondary Schools from across the Kingdom, who pitched social enterprise ideas to a panel of local dragons. Participating schools were also required to think about a cause close to their hearts to support, as part of the social enterprise’s success.

Taking part this year on the Dragon’s panel were Geoffrey Proudlock from Fife College, Claire Fraser from the Social Enterprise Academy, Dot Smith from Fife Council’s Economic Development Team, and John Penman from Glenrothes-based Fife Fabrications Ltd.

Dragon’s Den is part of The Culture of Enterprise programme, delivered in partnership with Social Enterprise Academy, Fife College, and Developing The Young Workforce (DYW) Fife. It allows pupils to showcase their learning on running a social enterprise and helps build communities of the future. It also aligns with the Scottish Government’s ambition for a school-based sustainable social enterprise to be part of every school curriculum.

Carrie Lindsay, Executive Director of Education for Fife Council, was delighted to open the event.

She said: “The Dragons’ Den experience for our children and young people was a great opportunity for them to use real life skills in real life situations. The event built on many weeks of planning and well thought out work that showed the skills and talents of our young people. There is no doubt that this programme encouraging social enterprise work is an asset to any school. Well done to all who took part.”

The Social Enterprise Academy’s social entrepreneurs supported the pupils to design, create and launch their social enterprises. The young entrepreneurs pitched for investment in the Den in front of the Dragons. A comprehensive pitch from the General Manager and Business Secretary of Pop Shop from Balwearie High School impressed the dragons. Pop Shops’ study packs and stationery, with key motivational messages, a business idea already making a profit, impressed the dragons and encouraged them to part with their cash, and invest in the duo from Balwearie High School.

Simone Purves, Business Education teacher from Balwearie High School, said: “Working with Social Enterprise Academy has been extremely beneficial for our young people to understand the impact social enterprises have in our society. The initiative is so well run and the resources are extremely helpful in getting the young people engaged and using their skills. They loved the initial workshop with Gina Alexander who came into school to introduce social enterprises and got them thinking about issues that impact them. Throughout the year they have worked so hard to set up and run their social enterprise and have produced some amazing products. We look forward to working with Social Enterprise Academy again.”

Leading the way for Fife’s Primary Schools was Torbain Primary School in Kirkcaldy who impressed the judges with their eco-friendly garden idea. Taking a whole school approach to looking after their playground and encouraging biodiversity, they held a gardening sale to earn funds to buy plants, develop eco-habitats, and more.

Tulliallan Primary School’s pitch inspired Glenrothes-based business, Fife Fabrications who supported the school’s business idea by contributing £50 towards a new smoothie machine to help production.

John Penman from Fife Fabrications Ltd said:  “The team at Fife Fabrications is hugely supportive of giving back to local people and communities, taking every opportunity to bring in new ideas or take on challenges that generate donations for good causes they believe in.”

“We are delighted to support Tulliallan Primary School’s quest to provide healthy food sources to local families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. We hope our donation will enable them to purchase an additional smoother maker to increase production for this great cause.”

Commenting on the project, Alison Sinclair from Fife Council’s Culture of Enterprise said:

“It was great to be back at the Dragon’s Den this year, bringing together Primary and Secondary pupils to share their innovative ideas and promote a sustainable enterprise with a clear social and community purpose, fostering a culture of enterprise in Fife’s Schools.”

“I was impressed with the level of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills the young people showed; their confidence level was inspiring. I look forward to seeing the social enterprises flourish over the coming months. Thanks to the Dragons, partners, local businesses, and schools for participating and making the event successful.”

All participating schools were awarded £50 seed money as a surprise at the end of the event to encourage them to grow their social enterprises and realise the benefit of doing so. 

Capital Theatres has released a flythrough video giving an artist’s impression of the redevelopment of The King’s.

The work began in earnest earlier this year after a campaign brought the project back on track.

The flythrough is voiced by King’s Theatre Honorary Patron, Brian Cox. The Succession star has been integral to the campaign to save the King’s.

The animation showcases some of the major improvements of this transformative project including:
a new street level café – the first step into what will be a thriving daytime community hub for Tollcross
level entry from seat to street to stage with new lifts and wide staircases which will allow better access for audiences and artists, whatever their needs, for the first time in the building’s history
new bars and entertaining spaces will ease interval crowding and offer new hospitality opportunities
more comfortable seating in the upper circle
a new fully accessible double height Creative Engagement Studio to inspire a life-long love of theatre across the generations
a state-of-the-art scenery fly system, de-raked stage and better orchestra pit will allow a broader range of productions to tour to the King’s
improved sightlines and ventilation in the auditorium for a superb audience experience
the King’s precious history and heritage will be preserved and celebrated.

A huge fundraising campaign has allowed The King’s Theatre to survive. Thanks to commitment from many donors, The Scottish Government, The City of Edinburgh Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Capital Theatres (the charity which manages the council-owned venue), the project is up and running. There is still £1.5 million to raise to pay for the complete project.

You can learn more and donate at www.capitaltheatres.com/kings-future

Photos from this weekend

There were so many events taking place in Edinburgh at the weekend. Our photos of some of them can be found on Facebook and on this website.

For the Marathon 10K winners on Saturday click here.

Edinburgh Critical Mass May 2023 click here and see below:

Harry Styles fans look here:

On Sunday parents and residents had arranged to close the street outside Warrender Swim Centre so that everyone could enjoy the space near their homes for playing and socialising.

City Mobility Plan

The council is consulting on the actions it will have to take to deliver the City Mobility Plan which is already a part of Edinburgh’s transport policy. The City Mobility Plan is an integral part of the city moving towards Net Zero by 2030. There are two two drop in events this week – one on Tuesday at Leith Library and the other on Wednesday at Gilmerton Library.

Next week the events move to South Queensferry and Blackhall Library, Piershill Library, the City Art Centre, Currie Library, Granton Primary School, Wester Hailes Education Centre, Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre and Ratho Community Centre.

Full details on the council’s consultation hub here.

Porty Community Energy

This summer Porty Community Energy are running a bike library from a container in Tumbles car park, as they did last year. This is one of the aims of the body – to lower carbon emissions from transport which they say is “the biggest consumer of energy in the UK and petroleum takes the largest share of our fuel consumption”.

The organisation has secured funding to buy three cargo bikes and develop an Active Travel Hub. One of the bikes which has been purchased is an Urban Arrow which you can see below. This is a multi function vehicle for ferrying children around or even heavier loads.

The hub will probably be sited at Portobello Town Hall which will be opening this summer now that the community raised £25,000 in a crowdfunder to employ a venue manager and when they sign the lease from 1 June.

Heart of Newhaven

On 5 and 19 June at the Heart of Newhaven there will be Zumba at 6pm and Pilates/yoga at 7pm.

As well as this there will be Warm and Welcoming sessions every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 9am.

The Heart will be open with tea, coffee, fruit and at the very least some biscuits.

There will be several pop-up events staffed by their partners and Heart residents.

No need to book Just turn up, have a cuppa, meet up with friends and make new ones. 

ACE IT will also be running one to one advice if you need support with your laptop, phone or tablet. You may use the free Wifi and get any problems sorted out.

There are also many other activities and all the information is on the Heart of Newhaven website.

How to subscribe to The Edinburgh Reporter

All of our content is free to access but if you would like to support us and also get your own copy of our monthly paper delivered to you each month then you can subscribe here. The paper is always on the streets on the 1st of each month.

Or click on the front page below. And if you have any stories then do get in touch.

Japan’s Kimono Day (Gofuku No Hi) takes place each year on 29 May.

This day in Japan celebrates the traditional clothing which is recognisable around the world.

At the end of last week, Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron hosted eight Japanese ladies to tea in her suite at the City Chambers.

Mio Shudo, Japanese Tea Master and Japanese Cultural Assistant led the group in passing on more information about the day and the traditions, celebrating Edinburgh’s friendship with Kyoto.   

All dressed in kimonos the ladies then shared a table-top Japanese tea ceremony and specially written haikus.

As the ladies arrived at the City Chambers, we photographed all of them with the Depute Lord Provost who was also suitably dressed for the occasion.

Parents got time to chat to neighbours and children could skip, chalk and play tennis on the street to their hearts’ content when Thirlestane Road was closed on Sunday morning.

The parents had asked the council for permission, the council provided barriers and road closed signs, the weather was fair, and everyone had a lovely time. Cllr Ben Parker called by to watch the children at play. The purpose of the event at the corner of Spottiswoode Street was not only to offer children a safe place to play, but also to celebrate the reopening earlier in the week of Warrender Swim Centre.

All photos below ©2023 Martin P. McAdam

Cyclists meet on the last Saturday of each month to ride together in the city on a planned route accompanied by some music.

In May there were around 200 cyclists and the ride encountered not one but three weddings on the way – adding a note of cheer and applause to the newly weds coming out of St Mary’s on Picardy Place as the ride waited for the lights to change.

Young and old take part on what is usually a fun day taking back the space for cycling and engaging with passers by and motorists.

Read more about Edinburgh Critical Mass – one of around 300 rides worldwide – here.

And there are more photos on Facebook.

The Scottish Greens say that all MSPs who believe in devolution must stand up for Scotland’s environment and the work of The Scottish Parliament as never before following the Tory UK Government’s “raid on our democracy”.

Mark Ruskell MSP said the spotlight would fall on every politician in Holyrood in days and weeks to come as the very question of devolved powers are put to the test over Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. A debate on devolution is already due to take place on Tuesday.

Speaking after Minister Lorna Slater appeared on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show taking the Tories to task over their 11th hour U-turn, he said: “Lorna Slater is absolutely correct when she says the Tory UK Government has ridden roughshod over devolution.

“The decision being imposed by Westminster to instruct our elected parliament to drop a law voted for by its own members is nothing less than a raid on democracy, and a chilling turn of events that should concern every single person in Scotland.

“The whole point of devolution is that it allows our parliament’s to make different choices and rightly allows the Scottish Parliament to lead on the issues that affect people in Scotland every day. 

“Our Parliament is at its best when it is leading the way and doing things differently. That’s why we abolished tuition fees, introduced the first public smoking ban and delivered the Scottish Child Payment and free bus travel for everyone under 22. 

“The Deposit Return Scheme is part of that same tradition of the Scottish Parliament working and delivering for Scotland and our environment. The environmental case for glass to be in Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme is absolutely clear and so is the democratic one.

“MSPs must recognise it is their duty to defend the environment and democracy and speak against this outrageous behaviour from a Tory Government that seems intent on a scorched Earth approach to everything before it is finally shown the door.

“Will they defend Scottish devolution, or will they allow this UK Government to neuter our right to make laws and carry out the functions the electorate voted for us to do?

“And what of our environment? Do any of them really think a can and bottle return scheme that doesn’t include glass bottles will help heal our planet more readily, lift litter off our streets or make sure the menace of broken glass can be cured?

“This has been a spectacular reverse by the Tories’ over their own manifesto commitment on glass. Even their own MSP Maurice Golden was previously Tweeting about how vital it was for glass to be included until just recently. 

“Questions now also need to be asked about why they changed their mind so soon after accepting donations from the drinks industry. While there may be nothing untowards, it certainly isn’t a good look.

“The Deposit Return Scheme may be the catalyst but there is a far bigger power grab at play. 

“The days and weeks ahead will be crucial, and that is why we need all people, parties and MSPs who care about the future of devolution to stand together and say that enough is enough.”

Scottish Labour Net Zero spokesperson, Sarah Boyack MSP, said: “This war of words between the UK and Scottish Governments does nothing for Scottish businesses and producers, consumers, or our environment. 

“It is now time for both of Scotland’s Governments to work together to ensure we get a viable Deposit Return Scheme that has the confidence of producers and consumers.

“Lorna Slater must make a Statement in Parliament this week. Businesses have already made hundreds of millions of investments already. They need certainty from the Scottish Government, not dithering.”

Devolution debate

On Tuesday in The Scottish Parliament the matter of devolution and the control exerted by Westminster is already scheduled to be debated. Keith Brown the Depute Leader of the SNP is to lead a debate entitled Protecting Devolution and The Scottish Parliament. This motion was lodged on 16 May, quite some time before the latest decision by the UK Government which The Scottish Government say is another attempt to stifle devolution. 

Preparing for next week, SNP MSP Keith Brown said the unelected Tory government at Westminster – “which has just six MPs in Scotland” – was taking control of devolved powers such as environmental protection, food standards and a range of other areas without the consent of the Scottish Parliament or the people of  Scotland.

Mr Brown said: “It could not be a more critical time for Scottish democracy as we see explicit and repeated attacks on devolution from Westminster which Labour and the Tories are happy to help facilitate.

“The necessity of this debate should be unthinkable. But we have an out of control Tory Scottish Secretary acting like a Governor-General grabbing powers and placing himself above the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland. I will do everything I can to defend Scottish democracy from blatant Westminster attacks. 

“From the unprecedented decision to invoke a Section 35 order in order to veto devolved legislation, to ongoing breaches of the Sewel Convention – the Tories are attempting to destroy devolution by any means necessary, and it is beyond shameful that Keir Starmer’s Labour party has been silently complicit on the matter.

“If Tory and Labour MSPs fail to speak up to defend devolution in my debate in Holyrood next Tuesday then they are confirming they are happy to see the  Scottish Parliament undermined and for Westminster to tighten its control over Scotland. They have 4 days to decide if they will step up to protect devolution.

“The SNP will continue to stand up for Scottish democracy but ultimately it’s clear the only way to properly protect Scotland’s democracy is to become an independent country and escape Westminster control for good.”

The motion reads:

These are photos of the 2023 10K winners in the capital this weekend.

Angry Hibs have demanded a response from Hearts after an alleged incident involving one of their players and a fan in the dying minutes of the Derby at Tynecastle in the cinch Premiership which ended 1-1.

On Saturday the club issued a statement on their Twitter feed which claimed that during the game there were a number of incidents but added: “Undoubtedly, the most worrying relates to player safety and spectator involvement.”

The statement alleges that during the second half, when Marijan Cabraja went to retrieve the ball to take a throw in in front of the Wheatfield Stand, he was confronted by several supporters before he was ‘struck’ by a spectator.

Hibs said: “We have shared images, which are clear and conclusive, with senior officials at Hearts and have urged the club to investigate this immediately.

“Serious actions must be taken as player safety on the pitch is paramount and this incident proves that more needs to be done to protect players. This type of behaviour by a supporter of any club is abhorrent.”

Hibs added: “We are awaiting a response from Hearts regarding this incident so that the individual can be detected and the severest of sanctions taken against him.”

Five red cards were issued. Hearts’ defender Alex Cochrane was sent off following a challenge after 28 minutes and four others were issued after an ugly skirmish after the final whistle.

Hibs’ manager Lee Johnson and unused substitute Rocky Bushiri plus Hearts’ unsused substitute goalkeeper Ross Stewart and the club’s goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher.

The incident overshadowed the game in which Yutaro Oda netted his first goal for the Tynecastle team after seven minutes and Kevin Nisbet levelled after 28 minutes from a free-kick just outside the box awarded after Cochrane’s challenge which saw him dismissed.

Harry Styles fans from Lanarkshire, Inverness, Glasgow, Islay and also Edinburgh feature in our photos below.

They were all ready to have a great time watching the superstar who has sold out two nights at BT Murrayfield. One said to us: “Oh we just love him.” Another was going to her very first concert accompanied by her mum.

Wearing mainly pink or sparkles, some of the fans had already bought their feather boas online, so were not faced with the dilemma of wondering if £8 for a feather boa in a variety of colours was really worth it.

The English singer was due on stage about 8pm, following the support act Wet Leg. By 4.30pm the fans were already congregating in Roseburn ready for the gates to open, having a coffee or something stronger in the cafés and bars there – bringing in some welcome custom.

Were you there? Do tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Steven Naismith has been in interim charge of Hearts for seven games and has successfully guided the Gorgie side to fourth place in the cinch Premiership after the 1-1 draw with Hibs at Tynecastle. He summed up the bruising Derby thus: “It was not that enjoyable.”

The Jambos interim boss added: “It was the longest game ever, obviously the double whammy of the red card and they score from the free-kick was the worse case scenario.

“For me, in the time I have been in charge here, it has been the worse case scenario in anything we have done, whether it has been injuries or players not available, to red cards, to VAR decisions, things have gone against us.

“I think the seven games have been more eventful than most managers have had in leading a team, but the fight the boys have got is unbelievable.

“Their understanding of the game when we go to ten men. It is a similar situation to the Celtic game and the next goal is pivotal, we managed to defend for our lives, and, as the game develops, we manage the moments to keep the ball and manage the game really well. It is really pleasing on the character side again.” 

And the former Scotland international praised the Tynecastle faithful for their backing and added: “I have said from day one, I have been at the club long enough, you give them something to back they will back you.

“The fans owning the club, there has got to be that bond there, and you have to understand what the fans want. That is the biggest thing I have taken from this. Before I took this role I knew I had to get their backing.

“It (Tynecastle) is a tough place if you have not got it and I think we have done that pretty well over the past seven games.”

Naismith said he was proud of the way Hearts toughed the game with Hibs out after Alex Cochrane was red carded in 28 minutes, and he said: “Hearts teams in the past have been labelled with being soft.

“St Mirren, we showed character to come back (to draw 2-2) and today (against Hibs) to see the game out. That’s massive. To go to Rangers and go for 96 minutes to get a result. When I was a player here that would have been really hard.

“These things very rarely happened and that part is turning but, if you want to play here, you need that. It should not be that’s the Hearts way to make it difficult, get rid of that, put it in the bin, get more control. We need to control games, understand in situations what we need to do.”

And he sent a message to Hearts’ board about his aspirations for the future. The Irvine-born boss said: “I would say I am ready for management. I would say that this period was definitely a big indicator.

“What this has done is given me a taste of it and I know I am ready. These are the five hardest fixtures you will get in the season at a time when the squad is really low and I am proud of what we have done.

“So, I am ready for it and the conversations will start to see if I am the man to take Hearts forward. I am looking forward to the conversations.”   

PICTURE: General view of Tynecastle before kick-off on Derby day